Locals reported hearing several small explosions a few days earlier and baffled authorities contacted NASA and the European space agency foradvice. Internet rumours began swirling that it may be evidence of extra-terrestrial life.

But, alas, as Namibian police were conducting their investigation, gossip site Gawker reported that the ball was most likely a fuel tank for storing hydrazine on unmanned rockets.

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A Gawker commenter had provided the information, saying it was a "39-litre hydrazine bladder tank" that was typically "used on unmanned rockets for satellite launches, which would explain why they're falling down in such a specific geographic footprint".

Several such large balls have dropped in southern Africa, Australia and Latin America in the past 20 years, according to reports.